arts & entertainment

Get ready to rock! On Saturday, March 19th at 7:00 PM, the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra will combine their considerable talents with vocalists Bryan Hayes and Hannah Stokes to take on some of the greatest rock and pop classics in recent history. SCSO Rocks will be held at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue in Vero Beach. The special concert, in collaboration with Live! From Vero Beach and produced by MusicWorks, will feature the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra performing music from top bands and artists, including Chicago, Moody Blues, Linda Ronstadt, ABBA, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, Steely Dan, ELO, Pink Floyd, and more. Tickets are on sale now at MusicWorksConcerts.com and range in price from $30 to $95, depending on seating selection. In a special arrangement with MusicWorks, 25% of the ticket price will be donated to the orchestra when the code “SCSO” is entered during the online transaction. For more information about SCSO Rocks, call toll free to (800) 595-4849 or visit MusicWorksConcerts.com.   

Aaron T. Collins, Conductor and Artistic Director for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, thinks Vero Beach is ready to rock.

“MusicWorks is all about the production of specialty concerts,” said Collins. “We have worked with them and Live! From Vero Beach to create an amazing program unlike anything our jazz orchestra has ever done. The singers are top notch and this should be a total blast.”

SCSO Rocks will be conducted by the leader of the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra, Frank Wosar.  Wosar is Director of Jazz Bands at Valencia College and no stranger to the Central Florida music scene. The trombone professor is a four-time Down Beat Award winner for outstanding jazz solo.  

upcoming concerts & programs —

March 28 & 29 The Yale Whiffenpoofs: A tuxedoed concert of a capella song and signature wit.

April 23 & 24  Coast to Coast: A program that celebrates the beauty and power of nature.

May 21 & 22  Fan Favorites –the Great Ballets: A whirlwind tour of history’s greatest ballets.

ABOUT BRYAN HAYES (tenor) — Bryan Hayes is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger and composer.  He’s a working artist with a background ranging many genres including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Rock, Pop and more. In fall 2013 he received bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Florida in the studies of Classical voice and in Jazz Studies, primary instrument being voice. He has performed and continues to perform in countless concerts, he has performed major roles in numerous operas, oratorios and theatrical productions, and has toured with different groups in many different countries, including but not limited to; the University of North Florida and University of British Columbia Opera ensembles in two separate productions in the Czech Republic, the University of North Florida Chorale 2010 tour of Italy, the St. John’s Cathedral Choir of Jacksonville 2014 tour of Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral, a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2014, and numerous shows with the Orlando Philharmonic, Opera Orlando, and the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

He has performed onstage with such noted artists and ensembles, including but not limited to; The Royal Symphony of England, Reggie Wooten, Ben Folds and Andrea Bocelli.  In 2015 Bryan released his first album of original compositions entitled “This Is Me.”  Bryan aspires to continue a career of performance and composition.  He currently resides in Orlando, Florida.

ABOUT HANNAH STOKES (singer/songwriter) – As a performer and cover artist, Hannah Stokes has made her way across the Orlando area, playing local venues as well as theme parks and festivals such as Orlando Wine Fest and Central Florida Earth Day Fest. She regularly performs with various local pop/jazz/soul groups like cover duo Brian + Hannah as well as the energetic 80’s style Yacht Rock group Estate Sale Boat, Video Game Music band GG Cat.

A blossoming jazz vocalist, Hannah has shared the stage with The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, the Valencia College Big Band under the direction of Frank Wosar, and Jukebox Saturday Night, a music review of the great Big Bands during the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s under the direction of Jeff Bush and Greg Parnell. She has also been awarded scholarships from the Central Florida Jazz Society‘s Scholarship Competition two years in a row, winning 2nd place in 2020.

Hannah continues to develop her personal sound and cultivate Orlando’s vibrant music scene by bringing together other local talents for exciting performances and inspiring collaborations. More about Hannah may be found on her website, HannahStokesMusic.com.

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability.  The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices.  The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.

37-year old Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements.  LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor.  Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County.  Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community. 

School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID.  In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert (PLEASE NOTE: availability may vary during Covid pandemic). Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only 19 U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. In addition to maintaining the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, the non-profit organization also has a youth orchestra and provides numerous separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.